Christina Whitlock, Beyond Measure Podcast
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I Don't Always Get My Way. (A Piano Teacher Confession)
Today, I Confess: I Don't Always Get My Way. (not that any of us do...) This week's podcast episode featured 7 points of criteria I use when choosing repertoire for my recitals. I've got a story about a time I *didn't* get my way in the recital selection process... but FIRST! Meet the 2025 Recital Guide. 🤩 Do you have pieces that seem to find their way to your recital programs over and over again? I'm sharing 36 of mine in the 2025 Recital Guide. Broken down by seven levels (Pre-Reading...
This is My Roman Empire. (A Piano Teacher Confession)
Today, I Confess: This is My Roman Empire. *If you're unaware of the "Roman Empire" trend, it's essentially code for something you find yourself thinking about with (perhaps irrational?) frequency. There's a house I drive by almost every day that intrigues me. The family who lives there has one of the largest collections of inflatable lawn figures I've seen. ...not so much in quantity, but in variety. Sure, this yard is decked out for Halloween and Christmas... but they also put out...
I Am My Student's Favorite. (A Piano Teacher Confession)
Today, I Confess: I Am My Student's Favorite. If you caught last week’s letter, you know I’m in the final stretches of festival preparations for my students. I’m not going to sugar coat these things: I appear to have hit my threshold. I am always quick to absorb whatever energy is around me, and since a lot of my students (including my own children) are feeling stressy, I appear to have lost ALL chill. Teacher Mom is a difficult road to balance - which is why so many of you do not teach your...
I'm Conflicted. (A Piano Teacher Confession)
Today, I Confess: I Am Conflicted. As teachers, we must decide for ourselves how we feel about adjudicated events. ...and we're allowed to change our minds. Let's state the obvious: Playing for a judge is not the right fit for every student In the master list of Pros and Cons, evaluative events have plenty of checks in both columns When adjudicated events go well, they're magic. Around 60% of my studio is preparing for a festival next weekend. It's worth noting this email is being written...
Lesson Planning Feels Hard (Sometimes) : A Confession
Today, I Confess: Lesson Planning Feels Hard (Sometimes). When it comes to writing lesson plans for my students, I feel like I've done it all: When I started teaching at 14, I had no idea Lesson Plans were "a thing". That's why you use a method series, right? Don't they do all the work for you? 🙅♀️(please note: they don't) There have been seasons where I've mapped out detailed weekly plans for each individual student. I named objectives, dreamed up activities, and pre-planned assignments for...
I Am Easily Distracted (A Confession)
Today, I Confess: I Am Easily Distracted. There is ONE UNIVERSAL THING every student wants: Our attention. ...not our attention to their fingers, or their rhythmic errors, but our attention to their personhood. Every student (whether chatty or quiet!) wants to be seen and understood. The contrary is well-documented: When people don't feel known, bad things happen. This appears to be the ultimate challenge as we find ourselves living in The Age of Distraction. We can't escape the multiple...
Instagram is Not Fun for Teachers Anymore (A Confession)
Today, I Confess: Instagram is Not Fun for Teachers Anymore. It's tempting to cut your losses and leave the platform, but what if we want to try and find a way back to IG enjoyment? Four years ago, Instagram was a dramatically different place (as was every other Social Media platform). My show – The Beyond Measure Podcast – was largely built through Instagram. Most of you reading this probably found me there first. Back then, for me, Instagram was “the fun place” for piano teachers. Facebook...
I Missed Something Important. (A Confession)
Today, I Confess: I Missed Something Important. Phew! My inbox/DMs have been BUSY with listener thoughts on this week's podcast episode: Cheers to Discernment in Coaching Programs and Other Online Offerings. It's telling that *so* many people are willing to talk privately on this topic, but very few public comments have been made. I totally get it. I didn't want to talk about this either, but I've reached a tipping point with consult clients who have traded way too many dollars for terrible...
Sometimes Music is Wasted On Me (A Confession)
Today, I Confess: Sometimes Music is Wasted On Me. Several weeks ago, I attended a large event in my community. As part of the festivities, a woman got up to sing a familiar, upbeat song. At first, I was enjoying myself... thinking what a lovely voice she had. As the song progressed, I began to get uncomfortable. The chorus pushed her range just a bit beyond what was comfortable. Mind you; this was far from a "bad" performance. She was engaging and it was obvious she'd had some vocal...
Today's PIANO TEACHER CONFESSION: I Am Tired.
Today, I Confess: I Am Tired. ...but I *have* published 200 episodes of Beyond Measure! 😄 For a million different reasons, this week's podcast episode took a REALLY long time to put together. It's left me with very little time or mental bandwidth to write much of a confession this week. BUT HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS: I think Episode 200 will continue to serve as a great resource for anyone new to the podcast or looking to better-tailor their listening experience. Have you listened yet? Either way,...
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